Internet Scams Exposed

SCAM WATCH: Internet & SMS Scams - Phishing - Email Fraud

These emails and text messages are real examples of current scams. Learn to identify them. Please forward any scams you receive to Mark Hutten: mbhutten@yahoo.com. They will be posted on this site withoutyour email address.

What To Do If You Have Been Scammed

Have you lost money due to a scam?

Email: mbhutten@gmail.comwith a description of how the scam worked (i.e., what happened exactly), and we will try to (a) locate the scam artist(s), (b) work with law enforcement to expedite prosecution, and (c) help you get some - or all - of your money back.

It’s very difficult to get your money back if you’ve been cheated over the phone. Before you buy anything, remember the following:

1. Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you get brochures about costly investments, ask someone whose financial advice you trust to review them. But, unfortunately, beware—not everything written down is true.

2. Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups. Unfortunately, not all bad businesses can be identified through these organizations.

3. Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.

4. Be aware that your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties.

5. Be sure to talk over big investments offered by telephone salespeople with a trusted friend, family member, or financial advisor. It’s never rude to wait and think about an offer.

6. Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.

7. Before you give money to a charity or make an investment, find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity or investment.

8. Before you receive your next sales pitch, decide what your limits are—the kinds of financial information you will and won’t give out on the telephone.

9. Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. “What guarantee do I really have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?”

10. Don’t buy from an unfamiliar company. Legitimate businesses understand that you want more information about their company and are happy to comply.

11. Don’t pay for a “free prize.” If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law.

12. Don’t pay in advance for services. Pay services only after they are delivered.

13. If you have been victimized once, be wary of persons who call offering to help you recover your losses for a fee paid in advance.

14. If you have information about a fraud, report it to state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies.

15. Never respond to an offer you don’t understand thoroughly.

16. Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.

17. Obtain a salesperson’s name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before you transact business. Some con artists give out false names, telephone numbers, addresses, and business license numbers. Verify the accuracy of these items.

1. Anyone using high-pressure tactics to force an investor into investing now is almost always selling a scam or fraud. He or she doesn't want you to think about it or check it out.

2. Be suspicious of "insider information", "hot tips", and "rumors". When a stranger, or even an acquaintance, offers you a promising investment, ask yourself why. It is illegal to make money by using information that is not available to the general public.

3. Beware of promises of high rates of return and/or quick profits with little or no risk. Con artists know what appeals to people. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. The higher the return, the higher the risk. There is no such thing as a no risk investment.

4. Call the Securities Division @ 360-902-8760 or 1-877-RING DFI (1-877-746-4334) to check to see if the investment is registered or if there have been any complaints about the company. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints filed with them. However, just because there are no complaints on file doesn't mean that the deal is legitimate.

5. Demand written information about the organization and the people behind the investment and its past track record and read this information! Ask Questions! Don't sign anything or make any commitments until you understand what you are purchasing. Do a thorough background check. Bear in mind, however, that even printed material can be forged, or falsified.

6. Don't feel indebted to someone who gives you "unsolicited" financial advice. Free financial advice is probably worth what you paid for it, and may cost you a great deal. It could cost you your life savings, retirement fund, or your house.

7. Don't give your money to anyone who says you must "Act Now! Tomorrow will be too late." If this is such a great opportunity why are they calling you? It will be here after you have had a chance to check it out. If you act in haste, the only thing that may be gone tomorrow is your money.

8. Don't trust a stranger that calls and asks for your money. Be wary of unexpected letters, or even personal visits from strangers who offer quick-profit schemes. Con artists make their living by being friendly and sounding honest.

9. If the caller is putting undue pressure on you or you feel uncomfortable with the conversation, hang up. You do not owe them an explanation.

10. If they tell you that a prospectus or offering circular isn't necessary, hang up or walk away. Even if it isn't necessary, never invest in something until you have written material about the company and the investment and have taken the time to check it out.

11. If you are interested, take the time to talk with a third party, disinterested person. Talk to your regular stockbroker, your attorney, your accountant, or any other reputable consultant.

12. Is the person you are dealing with trying to make you feel guilty? "Can't you make your own decisions?" Are they trying to make you feel silly or stupid? "Boy, when this takes off you will feel so stupid that you didn't invest!" Or how about greed? Remember that it is your money. Don't let anyone pressure you into investing in something before you have time to check it out.

13. The Securities Division can check the history of the promoter. Ask if they are registered to sell securities in Washington State? What is their disciplinary history? What is their employment history in the industry?

14. When called on the phone by a promoter, don't be afraid to hang up. You are not obliged to listen—in fact, this kind of solicitation is an invasion of your privacy.

helo, i know this guy from the internet and we decided to get married. we only know each other for about 2 months. He said he works for a shipping vessel as an engineer and we often communicate via sms/call. Then all of a sudden his ship were under pirates surveillance and forced him to drop off all of his valuable belongings to this company called Interglobal Handler. It is 150.000 poundsterling he put in a briefcase and put to this interglobal which later will forward it to me after i transfer 750 pounds for Malaysian tax. Below it he's email and Global Int'l Handler. If you done this my email please give me advise and reply my email thx you..

________________________________________________

My Dearest Angel,

I must have to tell you that the situation here is getting worst and I need your urgent asistance. please be praying for us.

What ever situation I found my self I always give Glory to God. The situation here is getting worst and we've done all we could to put the brain box of the ship in order but to no avail, and beside we just received information from the Signal house that there are sea pirates from Indonesia blocking the sea. They are about 312 KM away from us and the nearest place for this Ship to anchor is Labuan Island somewhere in Malaysia.

As it is now, we are no longer safe because we fear the pirates attack because the ship is very slow now. We have called for a rescue team but we are yet to get a response from our headquarter.The captains of the Ship have announced that all passengers should offload their goods for another means of transportation as the SHIP will duck here for another 15 days until its safe to continue sailing. Dear,my problem now is, my money (150,000 Pounds) which I kept in my cabin safe box. I do not want it stolen from me in the event of any attack. My plan was to use this money to buy Metal oil in drums from Australia and supply to a company in Mexico I already had contract agreement with as I told you before of which I have change my mind to invest it in your proposal. Dear, as the Director of Operation in this Ship, it’s not possible for me to move along with the passenger because I have to take care of this ship until all GOODS/PRODUCT are completely discharged.

Now there are so many security company stands at the sea shore here and I am thinking of what to do?and at this time I need you to stand by me .. I don't know what to do now; I want to quickly send you the money so that you can help me to secure it in your place until I have the chance to make my trip and meet you soonest.I know we have not met each other but I TRUST you and i know you will never disappoint or halt me.I have learned to take life as it happens as I remember everything happens for a reason.

I have discussed with one of the security company here.They will proceed delivery immediately I get a confirmation from you to assist me in receiving this money because there is no bank here and I don't want to loose the money to sea pirates because I know how I suffered for it. Dear,quickly forward to me your information as follows to enable me send the money to you immediately through INTER GLOBAL HANDLERS:-

Your Full Name:

Your Receiving Address:

Phone number:

Email Address:

Dear,this is very urgent. I am sitting by the sea shore now and waiting for your quick reply.Please I need your prayers this time because we are in a state of confusion praying that nothing happens to us.

30.8.12

Is constantly changing her name to appear different from the previous scam. Appears decently until the money disappears. Is on paid commission to write bogus letters and keep you chatting on marriage agencies.

Hello my beautiful Kevin !!!How are you? I hope all well with you. I am always happy that we met.When we spoke first time I even have tears of pleasure! When I began to correspond with you, I really could not know that our relationship will be so close and I like it. Now I do not want our relations to disappear, I want to continue, I want to always lift your mood! And I hope you will want it! I can see that you are someone I can trust and with whom I can talk openly. I think that in my life so much better when you can share the moment with anyone else. Sometimes just to hold the hand of the person you love can make all the worldly troubles disappear. Do you agree with me? I hope you understand my thoughts!!! Tell me how is your weather now? I hope in your house is not cold and warm blanket warms you at night. Yesterday I was doing some works around the house - glued cracks in window with paper to make it warmer. I've always loved the warmth and comfort of home. I want to say that I talked about you to my friend. She is happy for me that I have someone like you. I feel that in your words is hidden a very different culture and it attracts me very much, I'm drawn to you like a magnet. Of course a great pleasure and happiness for me - the opportunity to learn everything between us. I really want in the future, to feel close to a beloved man who is strong in the relationship, which will please me always by his compliments and concerns, and of course generosity. For such a mean I will do everything so that he is happy. For such a man, I will always do comfort and warmth in the house, so that he comes home and has a good mood and always a good relax next to the woman he loves. Do you like my thoughts? Do you agree about visa? And visiting you? money? Yes, of course I agree that we must to communicate longer but, I have an emergency and would love to meet with you now. What do you think? My dear Kevin, I have to stop to write this letter to you, but I will be close communication. With my great desire to love you need to know how I feel so happy myself, my honey Kevin. Well, I gotta go, my dear, I'll miss you, I love you and I want to be with you forever think of you Kevin!Yana

27.8.12

This is to formerly inform you that after the verification process conducted on your BlackBerry Winners Prize Verification Form, I wish to inform you that the Administrative department has just approved and referred your claim file to our affiliate Courier company, so that your Prize Winning Certificate, your Check/Cheque as well as your BlackBerry Torch 9810 can be sent to you by postal mail. This promotion was sponsored to encourage the use of BlackBerry Torch 9810 in Asia Developing Nations but E-mail addresses all over the world were entered in the ballot.

Your£90,000.00 Pounds and a BlackBerry Torch 9810would be released to you in ourASIA Payment Office. Our Delivery Officer in the ASIA Payment Office would be delivering your check/cheque to you through DHL Courier to your respective city or location in your country.

Immediately the Payment is made, You are to forward the below payment information to me for verification which include:

1) Name and Address of sender2) Amount sent3) Money transfer control number (MTCN)4) Location were money was sent from.

This will enable us facilitate the release of your winning certificate and check/cheque. We congratulate you as one of the BlackBERRY award International On-line Sweepstakes Winners.

Note, it is not possible to deduct the DHL DELIVERY fee from your winning check/cheque because it has been issued and sent to us by the general overseer, in conjunction with the A.B.N AMRO Bank financial. In this case, you are required to pay this fee to get your winning check/cheque as soon as possible.

22.8.12

I know you will be surprise to receive this email, but Before I go further I will like you to understand that, I am writing this mail to you With due respect trust and humanity, I appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter I feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business, honestly i am writing this email to you with pains, tears and sorrow from my heart, i will really like to have a good relationship with you and i have a special reason why i decided to contact you, i decided to contact you due to the urgency of my present situation here in the refugee camp. My name is Miss. Joy Kipkalya Kones, 25yrs old female and I from Kenya here in Africa; my father was the former Kenyan road Minister. He and Assistant Minister of Home Affairs Lorna Laboso had been on board the Cessna 210, which was headed to Kericho and crashed in a remote area called Kajong'a, in western Kenya. The plane crashed on Tuesday 10th, June, 2008.

After the burial of my beloved father, my stepmother and uncle conspired and sold all my father's properties to an Italian Expertrate which they shared the money they sold from the properties among themselves and live nothing for me. Unfortunately to me I fined my father's briefcase and when I opened it I found a document which my Father used to deposited amount of money in one bank here in Burkina Faso, with my name as the next of kin. I travelled to Burkina Faso here I am, to withdraw the money for a better lifeso that I can take care of myself and start up a new life and also further my education, when I arrival to the bank, the Bank foreign Operation Department Director whom I meet in person told me that my father instruction to their bank is that the fund would only be release to me when I am married or present a trustee/partner who will help me and invest the fund overseas after the transfer, and the bank ask me to go and look for a foreign partner, that was why am contacting you, which I believe that you are going to be honest and reliable person that will help me and stand as my trustee/partner, so that I can present you to the Bank for the release and transfer of the inherited fund into your bank account in your country.

I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as your own sister. Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well I will say that my mind convinced me that you will be the true person to help me. Moreover, I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my stepmothers have threatened to assinate me. The fund my Father deposited into the bank, is ($8.5 USD) Million United State Dollars, and I have confirmed from the bank here in Burkina Faso, on my arrival, You will also help me to place the fund in a good profitable business venture in your Country, However you will also help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can further my education. It is my intention to compensate you with 40% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. Now my dear as soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest and wiliness to help me, I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and wilingness to help me and also handle this transaction sincerely. Awaiting your urgent and positive response. Please my dear I want you to keep this as a top secret only to your self for now until the bank will release and transfer my inherited fund to you as my appointed trustee/partner. I beg you once again not to disclose this to any body until i come over your country because I am afraid of my weeked stepmother who has threatened to kill me and have my inherited fund alone. I thank you very much and am expecting to hear from you soonest.Yours SincerelyJoy Kipkalya Kones.

17.8.12

Hello my dear,thanks for your prompt reply,I appreciates .Please accept my sincere apologies if my email does not meet your business or personal ethics, I really like to have a good personal and business relationship with you, and I have a special reason why I decided to contact you because of the urgency of my situation here. Please I write not only to introduce myself to you,

but also tender a joint investment business proposal for your considerations and acceptance. I know that receipt of my communication shall be a great surprise to you considering the fact that we did not know each other or had any business negotiations before now, I however, pray your respected self not to allow the above unnatural abnormalities to influence your decision to accept my genuine proposal and intentions which undoubtedly would be of immense mutual benefits to both of us.I pledge to you for urgent and dedicated attention which this issue deserves. I deem it necessary to introduce myself in detail for you and the need for your assistance to claim and invest my inheritance for me.

I am Miss.Goodness Johnson,24 years old girl from Liberia , the only child of Late Fed Dr.Johnson Kamara( may his gentle soul in peace), who was killed by suspected hired assassins by his political opponents . Before his death , he was an astute politician and a successful businessman .

However , I was even more devastated , because of the maltreatment I'm receiving from my uncle who happens to be my only known blood relation alive . Immediately after my father's burial , he planned to take away all my Late Father's Treasury and properties from me,in fact in many occasions he had tried to rape me but I resisted him all through,the worse that happen was when he sent hired assassins to kill me .So , when all this molestation and humiliation became much to my bearing ,

I planed to escape to Europe but he restricted me . Luckily he did not discover where I kept my Father's File which contains important documents. So I decided to run to the United High Commissions for Refugee ( UNHCR ) camp in my country , but when I sensed that he would locate me their and kill me , I therefore pleaded to the UNHCR to facilitate my movement to their annex camp in another country for my safety , they acceded to my request and brought me to this Country Senegal , here I am presently seeking asylum in their commission camp .

I wish to contact you personally for a long term Business relationship and investment assistance in your Country. My Father secretly deposited the sum of US$5,700,000.00 ( Five Million,Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollar ) in one of the leading Banks ,in custody of my name as the next of kin. However, I shall forward you with the necessary information of the deposit on confirmation of your acceptance to assist me for the transfer and investment of the fund in your Country. As you will also help me in an investment, and I will like to complete my Studies, as I was in the School, before the death of my father .

It is my intention to compensate you with 20 % of the total Money ,for your help ,then the balance shall be my investment capital. This is the reason why I decided to contact you. Please all communications should be through this email address only for confidential purposes.

As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. I am staying at the female hostel. Awaiting your urgent and positive response.Please do keep this secret only to yourself ,please I beg you not to disclose it a third party till I come over, once the fund has been transferred into your account.

I hope my explanation is very clear but if you need further clarification, then send in your questions.Herein, I have attached scanned copy of my picture and camp ID card , I look forward to have your picture .

8.8.12

I sent you this email about two weeks ago and i got no response, so i am constrained to contact you again via the internet which has been severely abused by fraudsters over the years. I am an oil-servicing equipment merchant, from Dubai, U.A.E, diagnosed with chronic Esophageal cancer in July 2011My name is Saeed Aban Ahmed.

Please do not think of this letter as one of those being sent around to ask for money later on. In the past one year i have been donating my money, to charity organizations in Malaysia, and India. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, i cannot do this myself anymore.

I once asked two members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money to charity organizations in Indonesia and Southern Sudan, but they kept the money to themselves. So, if family can do that, why not trust a total stranger.

I have one last bulk sum, totaling twenty million dollars $20m, that I have with a finance security company in Europe. I need you to retrieve this deposit and distribute it to charity organizations to help earthquake and flood victims in Haiti, Japan, and AIDS/HIV orphans around the world. I have set aside 10% for your time and service. I do not need this money anymore as i have a short time to live.

Please reply me with honesty as soon as you receive this email. God be with you.

I'm writing this with tears in my eyes, I came down here to Madrid Spain, for a short vacation unfortunately i was mugged at the park of the hotel where i stayed,all cash,credit card and cell phone were stolen off me but luckily for me i still have my life and passport with me. I've been to the embassy and the Police here but they're not helping issues at all and my return flight leaves in few hours from now but am having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won't let me leave until i settle the bills.

I'm freaked out at the moment.I was wondering if you could please loan me some money pending when i get things straighten out and I promise to refund as soon as i arrive home safely